Our Priorities

Australia Submarine Capabilities

Australian submarine HMAS
Rankin, U.S. federal government
via WikiMedia Commons

The Royal Australian Navy (RAN) currently operates six ocean-going, diesel-electric Collins-class submarines, which are based at Fleet Base West, HMAS Stirling, south of Fremantle in Western Australia.

With significant natural resources within its 200 nautical mile Exclusive Economic Zone, and 99.9% of its bulk trade being maritime based, Australia is committed to securing the region's sea lines of communication. The RAN's mission, as part of the Australian Defence Forces, is to ensure unimpeded trade. As a result, it plays a vital role in promoting regional stability as a prerequisite for the continued prosperity of the area and of Australia itself. [1] This mission was demonstrated in 1999 when RAN submarines provided reconnaissance during the landing of UN peacekeeping troops in East Timor. At the time, it was feared that Indonesia might deploy its two Type 209/1300 vessels to the area. [2]

Australia's submarine force also plays an integral part in the RAN's mission of sea denial to hostile forces by controlling focal points in the island groups off Australia's northern coast. [3] More specifically, the six vessels are intended to provide a platform for covert surveillance reconnaissance and offensive operations against warships, submarines and merchant shipping, as well as mining and special operations support. [4] A weapons handling system designed to be able to operate Tomahawk missiles may also indicate the submarines' potential future use as land-attack platforms. [5] However, to date, no such missiles have been ordered.

Australia's Submarine Tables

The current submarine force of Collins-class vessels were built locally by the Australia Submarine Corporation (ASC) based on a design from Sweden's Kockums. The RAN commissioned the six submarines between 1996 and 2003, but with significant delays due to design deficiencies discovered during sea trials. [6] In 1999, a study commissioned by the Minister for Defence concluded that problems with the fuel system, engines, propellers, noise, communications, and combat systems meant that the Collins-class submarines "cannot perform at the levels required for military operations." [7] The submarines have since undergone numerous upgrades to resolve most of these problems. [8] The most significant upgrade to date was a $600 million project ending in 2010, which involved replacing old combat systems with the Raytheon system and installing upgraded heavyweight torpedoes. [9] These additions enable the submarines to detect, acquire and track targets, as well as to engage both surface vessels and submarines. Nonetheless, challenges persist – at times only two of the six submarines have been available for service – and the program has faced public criticism over its high costs. [10] Another government review released in December 2011 noted continued management deficiencies in the sustainment of Australia's submarine program. [11]

Despite – or perhaps because of – difficulties with the Collins-class submarines, the RAN has plans for expanding its submarine fleet. In a 2009 Defence White Paper, the government committed to acquiring 12 advanced submarines by 2030, initiating the country's "largest ever single defence project" at an estimated cost of $36 billion. [12] The envisioned capability is for a roughly 4,000 ton conventional submarine with a long range, that can perform anti-ship and anti-submarine warfare as well as intelligence collection and special forces insertion. A longer range vessel is seen as important for enhanced Australian cooperation with the United States in order to counter China's growing naval power. [13]

After a long internal campaign led by shipbuilding unions and the South Australian Labour government, the Prime Minister has decided to favor domestic construction of a new submarine design rather than improving the Collins-class submarines or importing off-the-shelf boats from abroad. [14] In order to produce the designed boats indigenously, Australia would require "a domestic workforce of roughly 1,000 skilled draftsmen and engineers." [15] The RAND Corporation, contracted by the Australian government to assess the country's domestic submarine design capabilities, found that although Australia could develop such a workforce over 15-20 years, the submarines could be completed faster and cheaper if designed with assistance from foreign partners. [16] Although the Australian government has so far declined U.S. assistance, it has extended a call for tenders to Japan, France, and Germany. [17] Because existing, off-the-shelf advanced conventional submarines weigh roughly 2,000 tons and perform operations closer to shore, current models would have to be modified to meet Australia's requirement for a larger submarine to carry out long-range missions. [18] Australia's 2009 White Paper explicitly ruled out the option of nuclear-powered submarines. [19] Australia's 2013 Defence White Paper set aside the military off-the-shelf options, reiterated the government's lack of interest in nuclear submarines, and described the issue as a decision between an "evolved" Collins-class of submarines and an entirely new class of submarine. [20] However, analyst Ross Babbage has expressed skepticism that the positions outlined in the White Paper will remain government policy following the upcoming late 2013 national election. [21] Some experts continue to argue that Australia's needs would be best met by leasing U.S. Virginia-class or U.K. Astute-class boats. [22] As of 2015, three submarines are competing for the tender, the Japanese 4,200 ton Soryu, the French 5,000 ton Barracuda class, and the German 4,000 ton Type 216. The Japanese bid is expected to win and is strongly supported by the United States, as the Soryus would be fitted with "U.S. combat, surveillance, radar, and weapons systems." [23]

Share

Table of Contents:

About

The submarine proliferation resource collection is designed to highlight global trends in the sale and acquisition of diesel- and nuclear-powered submarines. It is structured on a country-by-country basis, with each country profile consisting of information on capabilities, imports and exports.

About the Threats

This material is produced independently for NTI by the James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies and does not necessarily reflect the opinions of and has not been independently verified by NTI or its directors, officers, employees, or agents. Copyright 2016.